Photography exhibition by 6 photographers and gravis. | feature

THeCOLOR of gravis

Photo exhibition by six photographers and gravis.

Since its birth in 1998, "gravis" has been creating products based on various cultures such as art and music, with a focus on extreme sports such as snowboarding, skating, and surfing. One of the reasons why the brand has always been supported by its core fans is that, as with the evolution of its products, it has always taken an approach with an eye on the times. A prime example of this was the exhibition "theCOLOR" held last weekend at the Harajuku WAG GALLERY. As the title suggests, the theme was "color," and six photographers presented their own unique worldviews of works related to the famous "Gravis" models, each photographed by a different photographer. Here is a report on the entire event and its great success.

Photo_Shunsuke Shiga
Text_Yuho Nomura
Edit_Jun Nakada

The "THECOLOR" photo exhibition organized by "GRAVIS" closed last weekend with great success. The exhibition was held at WAG GALLERY, a gallery and project room located along Cat Street, and made full use of two exhibition methods, digital and real. The "digital" works will be updated via the brand's official Instagram account from April. The approach of exhibiting the works in the "real" world, which is only possible in this day and age, attracted a great deal of attention even before the exhibition was held. Participating photographers include Akira Onozuka, Yozo Yoshino, Maya Kibel (selected by NYLON JAPAN), Takuroh Toyama (selected by eyescream), Hikaru Funau, and Shun Omiyama (selected by Finamu). Each photographer will display a booth with a new work taken for this project. The sneakers of the famous models that were the subjects of the photographs are also on display.

Photographer Q&A

. Next, we will introduce the profiles of the participating photographers and the comments about this event that each of them answered in a Q&A format.

Akira Onozuka
Born in 1981 in Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture, Japan. In 2001, he moved to the U.S., where he discovered the joy of photography. After returning to Japan, his passion for photography never faded, and through encounters in various places, he was further drawn into the fascination of photography. Currently, he is expanding his activities to include winter brand advertising photography and product photography.
www.instagram.com/akr_o

Title "CA-AZ
Model "TARMAC DLX
A high-grade model of the iconic TARMAC model representing the brand. As well as the high-performance C9 Lv2 insole, high-level materials such as 3M reflectors and premium shrink leather are used.

About the concept of the work

An unplanned "road trip from California to Arizona .

What I want to convey through my work

The atmosphere, the use of colors, and the scale of nature are different from those in Japan. I would be happy if you could feel the scenery and various colors woven by nature with the gravis.

Thoughts on the Gravis shoes used in this project

I have known them for a long time. Personally, I especially like the pure white models the best. It naturally made more appearances in this shoot (laughs).

New insights and discoveries felt through the photo exhibition

This is a step forward in creating a new work of art! I am going on a road trip to the East Coast of the U.S. in July.

Yozo Yoshino
. Belongs to the photographer studio "TAKIBI". He is active in a variety of media, including men's and women's fashion magazines as well as brand catalogs. On her days off, she enjoys surfing and walking with her dog.
www.instagram.com/yoz3/

Title "night color
Model "TARMAC HC DLX
A high-grade model of the iconic TARMAC model representing the brand. As well as the high-performance C9 Lv2 insole, high-level materials such as 3M reflectors and premium shrink leather are used.

Own style

all-rounder

About the concept of the work

unrealistic

Thoughts on the Gravis shoes used in this project

I wanted something simple.

New insights and discoveries through the photo exhibition

I found it interesting the personalities that emerged because of the same theme.

Kibel Maya
Born in 1995, a half Japanese-American teenager born and raised in NY and LA, she has been active in the entertainment industry since the age of 4, including regular appearances on the TV show "Sesame Street". . Currently based in Tokyo, she works as a photographer, stylist, writer, and blogger.
www.instagram.com/mayakibbel

Title "No Graffiti
Model "CARDIFF
Shoe-like sports casual sandals. The heel strap is detachable with a hook , and can be switched between a strap style and a slide style.

Own style

as it is

About the concept of the work

City Life, No Graffiti

What I want to convey through my work

No matter what the place, you can wear your Gravis sandals anytime, anywhere .

Thoughts on the Gravis shoes used in this project

Sandals that are cool as fashion.

New insights and discoveries through the photo exhibition

I myself was born and raised in New York , so the Gravis items were great to go with that city.

Shun Komiyama
. Born in 1988, he graduated from the Faculty of Economics at Keio University. Graduated from Keio University, Faculty of Economics, and received the "Bungei Shicho Essay Award for Social Criticism, Honorable Mention" in 2013. In addition to holding regular solo exhibitions, etc., he focuses on photographing fashion, musicians, and other portraits.
www.instagram.com/shun_komiyama

Title "animals
Model "CARDIFF
Shoe-like sports casual sandals. The heel strap is detachable with a hook , and can be switched between a strap style and a slide style.

Own style

. Always base your work on "a photograph = a landscape" and establish it as a scene.

About the concept of the work

The contrast between the color and weight of heavy machinery and the lightness of sandals has long been a focus of my attention .

What I want to convey through my work

. simply because of the visual "coolness" of the Gravis shoes and the heavy machinery that I like.

Thoughts on the Gravis shoes used in this project

Because they are sandals, they have a roughness and a firm hold that will come in handy in a variety of situations.

New insights and discoveries through the photo exhibition

. I realized once again that the same theme can have very different personalities depending on the photographer.

Toyama Takuro
. Born in 1988. . Born in Tokyo, Japan. After graduating from university, he decided to become a photographer, and since his first solo exhibition in 2012, he has regularly participated in solo and group exhibitions. Currently, he works on CD jackets, brand catalogs, magazines, and music videos.
www.instagram.com/takurohtoyama/

Title "Golden Week"
Model "RIVAL
A reissue of a classic model that took the world by storm in the 1990s and was loved by many famous people. The insole has been updated to the "C9 Lv2 INSOLE" and is equipped with the EASY ON EASY OFF identity of "Gravis". The upper is made of high-quality nubuck leather.

Own style

documentary

About the concept of the work

No special provision is made.

What I want to convey through my work

I would be happy if each person who sees it can feel it.

Thoughts on the Gravis shoes used in this project

Tough , yet elegant.

New insights and discoveries through the photo exhibition

The Golden Week traffic was much more intense than I had anticipated. Nothing went as planned, but we had fun working on it.

Hikaru Funau
. Born in 1984. . Born in Setagaya-ku, Tokyo. Graduated from the Acting Department of the Japan Academy of Moving Images, and while gaining experience in theater while aspiring to be an actor, studied under photographer Kenichiro Uwabo in 2007. 2012, after becoming independent, he has been actively working for magazines, catalogs, advertisements, and other media. He is also passionate about BMX culture, which is his own lifestyle, and has photographed various tricks of riders in Japan and abroad.
www.instagram.com/hikarufunyu/

Title "RAINBOW
Model "KONA
This model broke away from the image of after-snowboarding and established itself as a lifestyle brand. Not only did this model capture the enthusiasm of board sports enthusiasts, who were synonymous with the youth culture of the time, but it also captured the hearts of a new, fashion-conscious segment of the population.

Own style

bicycle

What I want to convey through my work

Tokyo's current BMX scene

Thoughts on the Gravis shoes used in this project

They were heavy and comfortable to wear.

New insights and discoveries felt through the photo exhibition

. Once again, I realized that I am able to do my job with the help of the people around me.

Report on the venue!

Many people came to the venue , and the floor became a space full of excitement. The heat was further heightened by two of the country's most popular DJs playing.

The top performer was DJ BAKU, who is active in a variety of fields and spins on FRESH! by AbemaTV's "Hansatsu to Osanpo!

As time passed after the opening, the number of visitors gradually began to increase . Outside, many of Mr. Funau's BMX friends, one of the photographers participating in this year's event, had arrived.

JOMMY, a well-known HOUYHNHNM's representative and Diesel's famous press agent, also made an appearance! His fast and furious play kept the audience's eyes glued to the stage.

Snapshot of reception visitors!

I brought my favorite pair and was allowed to take a snapshot with them in front of their booth!

Kenichi Hiramoto, a young stylist working mainly for fashion magazines and brand catalogs (model "CARDIFF")

Mr. BAKU who brought the floor to life with his best DJ performance at today's reception party! ( model "TARMAC HC DLX" )

Shoichi Yamada, a staff member of "snow peak," is in a good mood. Shoichi Yamada, a staff member of Snow Peak, is in a good mood. His smile is very attractive! (Model "TARMAC DLX")

On the left is Jam Home Made staff member Ms. Nozawa , and on the right is stylist Ms. Hasegawa. (Model "CARDIFF")

Shuntaro Tomita, a Carhartt staff member, was impressive as he faced the work with a serious look in his eyes. (Model "TARMAC HC DLX")

SWITCH editor Yuri Seshimo came to see Shun Komiyama's work, which was also her main attraction of the day. (Model "CARDIFF")

Yoshitaka Inoue, an office worker, was shy but cooperated with the photo shoot. (Model "RIVAL")

Yoshiteru Oyama, an office worker, skillfully disguised his face in his favorite sneakers. (Model "RIVAL")

Speaking of sneakers! Writer Masahiro Minai, who is well-known for his work on "Sneakers" (model: "CARDIFF"), was also on hand. (Model "CARDIFF")

Yu Yanagisawa works at an advertising agency where he recently changed jobs. (Model "TARMAC DLX")

Misa Ueki, an office worker, shows off her mischievous posing. (Model "KONA")

We also caught up with DJ JOMMY, who played just as aggressively as BAKU! (Model "TARMAC DLX")

Although regrettable, the Gravis-sponsored exhibition "THECOLOR" was held for only two days this time. Six up-and-coming photographers of different styles and ages were invited to this event, which highlighted the brand's new worldview. For those who unfortunately did not have the opportunity to visit the event, please refer to this article as well as the following article, which was created for this project.Special SiteBut please check out their works. And keep your eyes peeled for more from the participating photographers and "Gravis" in the future.

gravis "THeCOLOR"
www.gravisfootwear.com/stories/the_color/

gravis Japan
Phone: 03-3476-5638